British Air Force Typhoon FGR4s have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Daesh militant organization, as stated by the British defence ministry.
The location, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"The RAF jets utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several approach shafts down to the facility... preliminary assessments indicate the target was engaged successfully," the ministry announced.
There was no sign of any civilian casualties in the operation late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the defence officials confirmed.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - established extremist governance over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This action underscores the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with allied nations, to eradicate any resurgence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," UK Defence Secretary the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of IS subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank the personnel of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their courage," he said. "They were among thousands of British personnel stationed over Christmas and New Year. This mission, to take out dangerous terrorists who threaten our security, shows how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure within its borders and strong abroad."
In December, the US military executed what it called a "large-scale strike" against IS targets in Syria, after an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The U.N. estimates Islamic State still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
